Former Astros ace Roger Clemens arrived at Osceola County Stadium on Sunday. The seven-time Cy Young winner took a humble, low-key approach while beginning a four-day stint as a special instructor.

It’s the first of three Kissimmee trips planned by Clemens during the Astros’ seven-week spring training. He arrived Sunday before the team’s clubhouse opened to the media, met with first-year manager Bo Porter, then spent several hours watching pitchers, interacting with hitters and signing autographs for fans.

There was a hug for Astros veteran Carlos Pena and an inside joke traded with Porter. But Clemens mostly observed and documented, attempting to get a read on a young, rebuilding club.

Clemens was realistic about the steep climb the Astros face, at times sounding more like an unbiased analyst than an unabashed team salesman. But while Clemens acknowledged the strength of the American League West Division and the Astros’ lack of recognizable names, he also mentioned the potential general manager Jeff Luhnow and Porter have touted since spring training began.

“I’m a season-ticket holder, so I’m excited just like anybody to work with these guys and get out there,” Clemens said. “Some of these young, great players for the (Los Angeles) Angels and some of the other young, great players in the West, maybe we’ve got a couple of those guys this year — you never know.”

Clemens starred at Spring Woods High School and the University of Texas before enjoying a 24-year major league career with four teams. His career was primarily associated with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

But he has maintained close ties with the Astros since retiring in 2007. The 50-year-old Clemens plans to take a more active role with the club this season after being found not guilty in June 2012 on six federal charges of lying to Congress about performance-enhancing drug use.

Batting practice pitcher
Porter said Clemens will follow a system during spring training, but he’ll be allowed to float.

“We’re going to lean on Roger to help us with these (player) evaluations,” Porter said.

Clemens joked he might throw live batting practice to Astros hitters but made it clear he has no plans to officially return to the mound.

The righthander pitched in 2012 for the independent league Sugar Land Skeeters, with whom he got the opportunity to throw to his son, Koby, a catcher. But Clemens said hype about his return was simply “media and talk.”

He acknowledged the drama was driven by Toronto Blue Jays president Paul Beeston, who had long admired the late stage of Gordie Howe’s career during which the hockey legend hit the ice with his sons.

“I was sore for a good couple weeks after. … I asked my arm to do things that I haven’t done in the past,” Clemens said.

Clemens thought his career was initially over in 2003, following a 17-9 season with the Yankees, who fell to the Florida Marlins in the World Series. He was pulled back into baseball only because the “right people” called. He signed with the Astros in December 2004 and was part of the franchise’s lone World Series appearance in 2005 — a 4-0 sweep by the Chicago White Sox.

Astros starter Bud Norris grew up following Clemens’ career and said the 1986 American League MVP was a “huge influence on the game of baseball.”

Plaudits from Norris
While rising through the minor leagues, Norris played with Koby Clemens. Since making it to the majors, Norris has gotten to know Roger Clemens and believes his uneven public image doesn’t match his actual character.

“Anybody can say what they want about somebody. Until you know the person, you really don’t have an idea,” Norris said. “To be honest about Roger, he’s such an amazing person, and truly I love the guy. He’s awesome.

“He’s always been so helpful in my career, and he’s just always been there. He’s always been a friend to lean on, and he’s always honest with you, which is what you want.”